A second half strike from Yuan Cong saw Western Sydney Wanderers defeat Wellington Phoenix 1-0 at Porirua Park in a result which means Melbourne City have now won the Ninja A-League Premiership for a third consecutive season.
The home side started brightly on what was a dreary day in New Zealand and almost took the lead; young star Pia Vlok drilling a volley wide of the near post that had goalkeeper Sham Khamis scrambling across her goal.
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The Wanderers responded well as Japanese attacker Ena Harada hit a left footed shot wide of the far post in the fifth minute but from then on it was all one-way traffic.
Vlok should have punished the Wanderers in the 30th minute when she pounced on a short backpass from Amy Harrison but having rounded the keeper, she then shot wide of the target with the goal gaping.
Wanderers boss Geoff Abrahams was forced into an early change in the second half with defender Poppie Hooks replaced by Alana Cerne after landing awkwardly in a collision with her own goalkeeper which saw her then stretchered off the pitch.
Looking to find a spark at Porirua Park Wellington boss Bev Priestman made a triple change in the 55th minute with Macey Fraser among those coming on and the Phoenix almost scored when Makala Woods forced Khamis into a sharp save.
However, whilst Wellington were dominating the ball it was the Wanderers who snatched the lead in the 78th minute as substitute Yuan Cong sprung the offside trap before lobbing the ball over Victoria Esson after the goalkeeper had initially saved the Chinese international’s first-time volleyed effort.
The home side pushed hard for a late leveller but the Wanderers held on to seal a valuable win in what is their last game of the campaign, with the result moving them off the foot of the ladder with just one game remaining.
Already assured of a top four place, Wellington Phoenix missed out on the chance to seal a top-two finish in the Ninja A-League and must now look to try and do so in the final round of fixtures next weekend.
MATCH HIGHLIGHTS
WHAT THEY SAID
Phoenix captain Mackenzie Barry fought tears when speaking to Sky Sport after the full time whistle.
